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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Kyle Newbould

Philippe Coutinho gets major Liverpool boost as fresh chance eyed

Philippe Coutinho Liverpool EPL Villa Mohamed Salah Unai Emery Villa Park World Cup

Aston Villa have received a huge boost ahead of their Boxing Day game against Liverpool with Philippe Coutinho back in training and in-line to return against his former side.

Coutinho is yet to play under new Villa manager Unai emery after picking up a thigh injury in training before their 3-1 win against Manchester United at the start of November. The 30-year-old was instantly ruled out of contention for Brazil's World Cup squad and looked set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The six-week Premier League hiatus allowed Coutinho time to step up his recovery without the pressures of imminent football, and the former Reds star was pictured several times in full first-team training earlier today as the Midlands side prepare to welcome Liverpool to Villa Park.

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Villa ended the first-half of their league campaign with consecutive wins in Coutinho's absence, Emiliano Buendia proving a more than capable stand in as the Midlands club followed their win against the Red Devils with victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day before the break.

Prior to injury, the Brazilian was notably out of sorts as Steven Gerrard's side faltered badly. He is yet to register a single goal or assist in the Premier League - his lack of creativity one significant factor in the club's decision to sack his former Reds teammate.

Emery will also be able to call up on a full-fit and firing Boubacar Kamara for his first Villa Park start since September. The defensive midfielder injured a knee ligament in September, returning for his side's final two games before the break - away Old Trafford and the AMEX Stadium.

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